Research

The Effects of Magnesium Hydroxide, Water, and Calcium Carbonate on the pH Level of Simulated Gastric Acid

Antacids, a medical phenomenon, were developed to specifically reduce discomfort from indigestion and related illnesses. However, the effectiveness of antacids is an ongoing study. This experiment used two active ingredients from antacids – magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) and calcium carbonate (Ca(CO)3) – and water as treatments to measure the difference in pH level after adding them to simulated gastric acid. The effectiveness of each variable was analyzed with a 3-Factor Design of Experiment. The only factor deemed significant was the single effect of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), and the original hypothesis which claimed the high values of the three variables would produce the biggest change was rejected.